25 Jan 2014

Freezing cold hampers Quebec rescue

4:03 pm on 25 January 2014

Canadian fire fighters are using steam machines to melt thick ice encasing the bodies of elderly people killed in a rest home fire 200 kms north of Quebec City.

Canadian firefighters douse the burnt remains of a retirement home in L'Isle-Verte.

Canadian firefighters douse the burnt remains of a retirement home in L'Isle-Verte. Photo: AFP

They are attempting to rescue 30 people from the wreck of the home after the massive fire.

Officials have confirmed eight have people died in the blaze.

Crews are struggling in temperatures of -21C in the town of L'Isle-Verte.

The ruins of Residence du Havre have collapsed and are frozen over with a thick layer of ice from fire hoses.

Many of the missing used wheelchairs or walking frames.

The deadly fire broke just past midnight on Thursday local time.

Several fire departments were called to the town to help extinguish the fire, which was fanned by strong winds.

Emergency crews were able to save about 20 of the home's 52 residents, at least 13 of who were treated at hospital.

The Quebec Provincial Police told reporters on Friday that three teams of police and firefighters were searching the debris in 45-minute shifts in order to minimise their exposure to the cold, using tools that produced steam to melt the ice coating the ruins.